FINAL
South Africa produced a stunning performance to beat defending champions Argentina 35-7 in the final of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens at a raucous Kai Tak Stadium – and get a huge monkey off their back.
The Blitzboks showed all their class to win their first-ever Hong Kong title in the first leg of this year’s three-tournament World Championship series, with Valladolid next up on May 29-31 before Bordeaux in early June.
Tristan Leyds once again showed his penchant for performing on the big stage as he raced under the posts for a superb opening try for the Rainbow Nation.
Santino Zangara replied for Los Pumas Sevens but a second try for the Blitzboks by the effervescent Selvyn Davids put them 14-7 ahead at the break as Argentina’s Hong Kong title began to slip through their fingers.
Thereafter they simply ran amok with Davids completing his brace further tries from Ryan Oosthuizen and Shilton van Wyk saw them home.
Amid emotional celebrations, mercurial captain Impi Visser said: “I’m just so proud of the boys because we achieved something special today.
“I think we broke the hoodoo at Hong Kong Sevens and can finally call ourselves champions here.”
Looking ahead to next month in Valladolid, Visser added: “I think we’re going to have to make a step up in our attacking play but for now we will enjoy this one.”
THIRD PLACE PLAY-OFF
One of the contests of the weekend went the way of Spain who edged out New Zealand 32-28 to claim a podium placement after a game for the ages.
Spain, who were already guaranteed to recorded their best-ever finish in Hong Kong, assumed early control when Tobias Sainz-Trapaga crashed over in the right corner.
He then outstripped the New Zealand defence on the opposite flank to race clear for a brilliant individual second before Roberto Ponce went over for a third.
The All Blacks Sevens scored through Akuila Rokolisoa, Brady Rush, Roderick Solo and Sam Clarke but Spain kept on coming and touchdowns from Anton Legorburu Anso (two) and Josep Serres saw them home.
Head coach Francisco Hernandez said: “We’re really happy to go home with third place.
“This was our highest ranking in Hong Kong and Valladolid next up will be an amazing tournament.”
SEMI-FINALS
Argentina showed their pedigree by outscoring Spain three tries to two in a 19-12 victory to seal their place in the final.
The in-form Jeremy Trevithick put Spain in front and later claimed his second but scores from Matteo Graziano, Santino Zangara and Sebastian Dubuc ensured a safe passage for Los Pumas.
South Africa flexed their muscles after beating New Zealand 26-14 in the first semi-final.
Tristan Leyds’ long-range score set the Blitzboks on their way to a third straight win against New Zealand for the first time since 2018.
Sebastiaan Jobb, Shilton van Wyk, Ryan Oosthuizen added further scores before New Zealand scored twice late on through Akuila Rokolisoa and Michael Manson.
5th PLACE PLAY-OFF
Fiji held off Australia to win 26-10 and led when through Tomasi Vuluma after excellent footwork and an intelligent dummy from Kavekini Tanivanuakula.
Australia quickly replied through Aden Ekanayake before Fiji’s Douglas Daveta was sinbinned by throwing the ball away.
But Filipe Sauturaga pilfered possession from Maurice Longbottom and ushered Tanivanuakula to scamper close and score.
Fiji led FIJ 14-5 at halftime and Daveta scored as soon as he returned to the field from an intercept.
Ben Dalton bagged a second for Australia but the prolific Vuiviawa Naduvalo reaffirmed Fiji’s superiority when some fine footwork took him under the posts.
7TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Kenya capped a memorable weekend in Hong Kong by defeating France 21-7 in the 7th Place Play-Off.
Nygel Pettersan Amaitsa, Festus Shiasi Safari and Samuel Mosiori Asati scored for the Kenyans with Maxim Granell posting a solitary reply for France.
9TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Uruguay beat Great Britain 26-14 in the 9th Place Play-Off after outscoring them by four tries to two.
Francisco Landauer, Alfonso Chahnazaroff, Pedro Hoblog and Diego Ardao were on target with the prolific Finely Lloyd-Gilmour grabbing a brace for GB.
11TH PLACE PLAY-OFF
Germany claimed an eye-catching 19-15 victory over the USA in their 11th Place Play-Off.
Niklas Koch, Cedric Eichholz and Bennet Veil scored their tries, while Ulu Niutupuivaha, Orrin Bizer and Steve Tomasin, with Felix Hufnagel proving crucial for Germany.
Veil, who scored Germany’s third try, said: “It’s a great feeling to get the win at a great stadium with a great atmosphere.
“We had quite a hard weekend and it didn’t start off as we wanted, but it’s good to finish with a win.
“We know that we have to learn a lot and be prepared for the next tournament – but I think we’re ready for it.”